A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff at London’s Southend Airport on 13 July 2025, causing the airport to close until further notice and prompting an investigation by the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). At the time of writing, no information is yet available on the number or nature of any casualties, and an emergency portal has been established for those seeking information about relatives who may have been involved.
The incident occurred just before 4 pm, according to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, which said it was attended by four fire crews, while the East of England Ambulance Service sent four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazard teams, and three paramedic vehicles. Essex and Herts Air Ambulance also responded.
Four people are believed to have died in a plane crash at Southend airport on Sunday, according to Essex Police.
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 14, 2025
The airport will remain closed until further notice while an investigation continues. pic.twitter.com/0rUx6bYrvC
About the plane
The aircraft was a 12-metre turboprop Beech B200 Super King Air operated by Dutch-headquartered Zeusch Aviation. Zeusch’s website says the plane can “land and take off from short and unpaved runways” and can be configured for Medevac and Organ transport with a “Lifeport PLUS-system which incorporates a stretcher for a single patient, as well as high-tech medical equipment.”
The craft can also be deployed for aerial mapping and TV broadcasting support. Prior to the crash on Sunday morning it had departed Athens for Pula in Croatia before flying on to London Southend Airport. It was scheduled to fly to Zeusch’s base at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands later the same day.
🚨🇬🇧 BREAKING: PLANE CRASH AT LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT
— Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) July 13, 2025
A Beechcraft Super King Air light aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from London Southend Airport, erupting into a massive fireball visible from the terminal.
Praying for Everyone’s safety🙏
pic.twitter.com/u9PZBfsiKc
Eyewitness accounts
The Independent reported that some people had waved at the pilots shortly before take off. An eye-witness who spoke to MailOnline saw the plane “bank to the left” and said it then “corkscrewed upside down into the floor.” A “fireball” ensued.
Images show a column of thick grey smoke rising into the sky a short distance from the airport, while stunned workers in yellow tabards and passengers standing on mobile air stairs look on. A worker at a nearby golf club told the BBC a “big heat wave” was felt and that people ran towards the crash site “to see if anyone was injured or anything.”
Crazy footage from the golf course, on which the plane taking off from Southend London airport appeared to crash.pic.twitter.com/d79o8xff8O
— Phil (@phil_from_NG) July 13, 2025
Airport closure and cancellations
While the investigation gets underway, Southend Airport’s closure will affect the scheduled passenger, charter, cargo and business flights, and the pilot training it offers. Situated 72 kilometres east of the capital and once the UK’s most popular airport, it serves 20 destinations across Europe and North Africa with easyJet, plus a domestic route to Newquay, Cornwall with Eastern Airways.
Its website advises passengers that “due to a serious incident”, the airport is “closed until further notice.” Flyers are urged to contact their airline for information and advice. The airport’s statement said its “thoughts are with those affected by today’s events and all passengers impacted by this disruption. We will restart flight operations as soon as possible and will continue to update the public on developments.”
— London Southend Airport (@SouthendAirport) July 13, 2025
Airlines have a duty to compensate passengers for delays over two hours for short-haul, three hours for mid-haul, and four hours for long-haul flights, including providing refreshments, overnight hotel rooms, depending on the length of the disruption, and refunds or vouchers for cancelled flights. Easyjet, the main commercial operator at Southend, usually refunds affected passengers in cash.
